The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1887-09-17

the Sister, tall, thin woman, in dark
green serge gown, and a variation OF the
prevailing white cap on her white hair
came out, saying to the unseen occupant OF
the little eight-sided room Within, 81 don
think there is any one coming to see you,
dear. 1t is nearly four when the visitors
go-unless,i' shO said, faeing Johu, "this
is your brother. Haze you eoWe 10 gee
Nancy Battsep, young man? she added
eyes, mq'qm," said john and the Sister
stood on one side and pushed open tbs
door and said, THeFe's this brother of our'
at last" She turned to John, and added
at is just as well you didn't come earlier
She mustn't talk much nor move. You
talk to her. and stepped swiftly across the
slate paved passage toward the ward; but
pauged as John, who stood in the doorway
looking at the little dark head on the pill
low, in an agony of awkwardpess, after q
moment said
"She-Nanoy, isn't my sister, ma am
She's naught to me. At least shes-my
sweetheart. had to come, as her father {
had to 90 on with the boat
every well, said the Sister smiling and
disappeariggi
"Sweethearts" were rare visitors, as thl'
was ehildren's hospital
Nancy was really two and a half year;
over the age limit.
John creaked carefully across the flool
and sat down on the chair beside Nancy''
bed and said:
"Yell, Nancy" in voice 50 husky one
might have thought be was man of feel
ing, and not 'only bargee"
HWell, Johp,'' said the hlaek=eyed littls
creature, whose dark curly head lay still
on the pillow, though she put a rough little
boys hand Into Johns great fist, John
noticed she had her yellow beads round
her throat still, though she was wearing a
washed-out blue flannel jacket belonging
to the ward, which struck him strangely.
"Don't move your arms, Nancy dear,
he said, speaking in almost whisper, and agqd
not daring to clasp the hand laid in his.
"Are you better?"
Nancy smiled up at him, still not moy:
ing, but pressing his hand little, and said
"You be frightened Of me, John But
I'm lot better-I'm not drowned now.
you sillyP
John smiled little, for the first time
since ho had looked at her, and said:
eyes, l be frightened at you You look
so delicate, and such little thing; and
don't seem to know you, lying abed like
that"
II don't lie abed much on the boat, dc
II" said Nancy, the flush, which his COM
ing had caused, fading, and leaving the
little brown face suddenly.
"How's father, John?'
aHe's gone on with the boat. It had to
90, you know, SO far as Bolton. He's CON-
ing on Wednesday to see yer-back by
train-if you amt out o this by then
Nancy"
"Nay, shan't be out" said Nancy, hel
eyes filling. "The lady-the Sister, | mean
says I'll have to lay still a good bit be
cause of my ribs. Did you know, John,
when you pulled me Q wateF, thet the boat
had gone agen me and squeezed me ageH
the bridge before L went under
over hers lying in his right, said hpskily
''Did it hurt very bad, Nancy dearf
and then, breaking down altogether, pool
John knelt by the bed, and laid his head
on on the iron at the top OF the bed and Sobbed
like child
"Dontee, John, now don't ee, said Nan
ey, the red blood coming like wave into
her face suddenly,
sit was not so very bad; l was dazed
and didn't feel-like at all. Don't cry, John
l be lot better, and 1t don't hurt now,
can't bear to have you cry" and the pool
child's voice got rough, and great tear
rolled over her CHEEKS, and she moved hel
hand to pull Johns head down close to her
and whispered sit was you who saved
me, John, you know. Oh, don't cry so
John; I'm better"
For moment or two the poor fellow
sobbed helplossly over his little crushed
playfellow, and then when she saidi "You
mustn't, John; the lady can see through
that little window, and she'll make yel
co." he kissed the hand he was holding
and sat back in the chair and looked pitt.
fully at her, feeling great helpless brute
'John," said Nancy, shyly, after mo
ment, "what made you say l was your
sweetheart, when ain't?"
aFou arc, Nancy / didn't know it my
self till / come to tell the lady YOU was
naught to me, and then Iknowed you were
everything, and all I've got to care for
When you come out of this you'll be my
sweetheart, won't you, Nancy ?"
Nancy smiled with the tears hardly dry
and said, @It did sound strange to hear you
say out like that She's my sweetheart !!
But | think be-" she said after a moment